Maximianus – 286-305 AD

Maximianus

First Reign 286 – 305 AD
Second Reign 306 – 308 AD

Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus was given the rank of co-emperor by Diocletian in the year following the latter’s victory over Carinus. On the division of the empire between the two Augustii his assigned area of responsibility was the West, a task with which he was later assisted by the Caesar Constantius, appointed in 293 AD. At the same time Galerius was made Caesar in the East, to help Diocletian, thus completing the arrangements for the First Tetrarchy, which lasted until the joint abdication of the two Augustii in 305.

Second Reign
306 – 308 AD

Maximianus had been anxious to return to public life ever since his reluctant abdication in 305 AD. He therefore seized the opportunity to associate himself with his son, Maxentius, when the latter was proclaimed emperor in Rome in opposition to Severus II(306 AD). After the defeat of Severus II, Maximianus formed an alliance with Constantine, who married his daughter Fausta in the spring of 307 AD.